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Sherborne Travel Writing Festival Authors 2026

Festival Curator, Rory MacLean, welcomes this year's line up of authors.
Adam Weymouth – Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf

Adam Weymouth

Friday 10 April

5pm-6pm


Lone Wolf is multifaceted account of Europe's hinterlands at a moment of political and environmental change. 

Ash Bhardwaj - Why Do We Travel?

Why Do We Travel?

Ash Bhardwaj

Saturday 11 April

12pm-1pm


Ash reveals the 12 key motivations for travel and how they can lead to more satisfying and sustainable travel experiences.

Margaret Busby - Part of the Story

Part of the Story

Margaret Busby

Saturday 11 April

5pm-6pm


In conversation with Rosie Goldsmith, Margaret will discuss her work which brings together writings on people, places, politics and publishing.

Jen Stout - Night Train to Odesa

Night Train to Odesa

Jen Stout

Sunday 12 April

1pm-2pm


Jen will be in conversation with Louise Troup about documenting the war in Ukraine and making her own way across a war-torn country.

Tony Wheeler - Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet

Tony Wheeler

Friday 10 April

7pm-8pm


Rory MacLean will be in conversation with ‘the trailblazing patron saint of the world’s backpackers and adventure travellers’ Tony Wheeler.

Sophie Ibbotson - Oxus

Oxus

Sophie Ibbotson

Saturday 11 April

2pm-3pm


Sophie identifies the true source of the River Oxus, the location of which has perplexed geographers, diplomats, and spies for over 200 years.

Sara Wheeler - Jan Morris: A Life

Jan Morris: A Life

Sara Wheeler

Saturday 11 April

7pm-8pm


In conversation with Colin Thubron, Sara discusses her book on Jan Morris – a portrait of an astonishing individual.

Around the World in 80 Trees

Around the World in 80 Trees

Jonathan Drori

Sunday 12 April 

2.30pm-3.30pm


Jonathan Drori CBE will celebrate the delightful, poignant and occasionally daft relationships that people have with plants. 

Mark Ashley-Miller - Harbours And Their Masters

Harbours and Their Masters

Mark Ashley-Miller

Saturday 11 April

10.30am-11.30am


Mark spent five years sailing into every harbour and interviewing some 256 Harbour Masters.

Raja Shehadeh and Penny Johnson - Palestinian Walks

Palestinian Walks

Raja Shehadeh & Penny Johnson

Saturday 11 April 

3.30pm-4.30pm


In conversation with Samatha Knights KC, Raja Shehadeh and his wife Penny Johnson search for a wider vision of Palestine.

Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing

Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing

With the 2026 Judging Panel

Sunday 12 April

10.30am-12pm


The winner of the 2026 £10,000 Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing will be announced.


Peter Frankopan - The Earth Transformed

The Earth Transformed

Peter Frankopan

Sunday 12 April

4pm-5pm


In this timely and provocative talk, Peter asks what lessons the past can teach us about the challenges of today and tomorrow.

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